Putin Backs Cease-Fire in Ukraine; U.S. Expands Sanctions

June 22, 2014 11:40 AM

23
0

Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced support for a cease-fire in Ukraine declared by his counterpart, calling for all sides to halt military activities even as he put more than 65,000 troops on combat alert.

Putin, while saying he supported the week-long truce that President Petro Poroshenko called for June 20, also said the move shouldn’t be an ultimatum to militia groups and won’t be “viable or realistic” without making “constructive steps” to start negotiations with rebel leaders in southeast regions...